Link conveyer



G. H. KUNZ LINK CONVEYER Feb. 24, 1931.

Filed Aug. 15, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l G. H. KUNZ Feb. 24, 1931.

LINK CONVEYER Filed Aug. 15, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llllll SIM 00144201 Patented Feb. 24, 1931 warren I STATES iir GEORGE HENRY KUNZ, OF MILW'AUKEE, VJISGONSIN', ASSI QR- TO CHAEN BELT GOM- PANY, F MILWAUKEE, .VISCGNSIN, A COR-EGRA'EIam 0F WISCQITSIN i LINK CONVEYEE Application filed August 15, 1927. Serial No. 213,039.

This invention relates to link conveyers and has for one of its objects to provide a device of this character which will be simple in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and more efficient in use than those which have been heretofore proposed.

In the washing, cleaning and polishing of automobiles, there has been recently developed the so called auto laundry where machines are subjected to a plurality of washing, cleaning and polishing operations. In order to facilitate these operations it has been proposed to provide a pit comprising an elongated excavation which may be lined with masonry, concrete or the like, of the proper width to permit an automobile to be driven thereover and of such depth as will permit the operatorsto stand beneath the vehicle in order to obtain access to the under parts thereof. These pits are preferably of considerable length, whereby a plurality of vehicles may be accommodated, one behind the other and difi'erent operations be performed at different points throughout the length of the apparatus.

In order to increase the efiiciency of the device, instead of moving the vehicles under their own power, it has been proposed to provide an endless conveyer having two laterally spaced flights upon which the vehicles are driven, and by means of which they may be advanced from one position to another throughout the lengths of the pits.

These conveyers meet with certain problems not encountered in other lines of conveying work and it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a conveyor of the chain or link type which is particularly adapted for use in connection with these automobile laundries.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel details of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts more fully hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which like reference characters designate like parts in all the views: i

Fi ure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an automobile laundry installation employing conveyer constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2, is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the plane indicated by the line 22 ofFig. 1 I

Fig. 3 is enlarged detail sectional elevational view through one of the conveyer flights, illustrating the link and roller as sembly;

Fig. 4: is a top plan view of one of the conveyer links or elements;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the element shown in Fig. 4; and,

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of the element shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral 10 indicates the pit above referred to which as above stated, may take the form of an elongated excavation which is lined with masonry or cement 11. Suitable uprights 12 are provided in the pit which support horizontal members 13 upon which are mounted guide rails or tracks 14: for supporting and guiding the upper runs of the conveyer flights '15. Additional guides or tracks '16 are provided adjacent the lower portions of uprights 12 for supporting and guiding the lower runs of the conveyer flights 15, as will be readily understood from Fig.- 2. The space between the conveyor flights 15 as well as the spaces between the outside edges of the flights and the side walls of the pit may be closed by suitable flooring 17 as will likewise be clear from Fig. 2.

The conveyers comprise chain links which will be later described in detail and which are connected together to form endless articulated bands or belts which pass around suitable sprocket wheels 19 and 20 arranged adjacent the ends of the pit, one or both of which may be driven from any suitable source of power whereby the conveyers may be moved to advance the vehicles from station to station, as above described. Y I

The links which make up the conveyer are shown in detail in Figs. 8, 4, 5 and 6 from which it will be seen that they each comprise transverse cylindrical portions 21 provided with a bore 22 and with the longitudinally extending side arms or webs 23 which latter diverge, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, and terminate in outwardly extending bosses 24. The said bosses 24 are likewise provided with bores 25 which are adapted to register with the bore 22 of the adjacent link to accommodate the connecting pin 18 whereby the links or elements are pivotally connected together.

The arms or webs 23 are extended upwardly as at 26 and are preferably cored out as at 27 to save metal and reduce the weight.

Formed integrally with the upper portions of the upward extensions 26 of the webs 23 is the horizontal flat plate or tread 28. As will be clear from Figs. 4, 5 and 6, this tread not only extends between the upper portions of the webs 23 but it projects laterally beyond them to either side, thereby forming the over hanging extensions or wings 29. The outer perimeter of the tread 28 is provided with the downwardly extending side flanges 30 and the end flanges or webs 31 and 32, the former of which extends downwardly and joins the cylindrical portion 21 and is preferably cored out as at 34 to lighten the same and in order to clear the teeth of the sprocket wheels 19 and 20. The webs 32, as will be clear from the drawings are in substantial alignment with the bosses 24 and extend downwardly a sufiicient distance to reinforce this end of the tread but are cut away as at 33 t0 likewise clear the teeth of the sprocket wheel.

The treads 28 are further provided with intermediate reinforcing webs or flanges 35 which depend beneath them and extend from the side flanges 30 to the upper portions 26 of the webs 23 and also between the said webs, as clearly shown in the drawings.

The links or elements just described are preferably formed as a single casting and the only machining necessary thereon is the finishing of the bores 22 and 25 for the accommodation of the pivot pins.

In order to support the conveyor runs upon the guides or tracks 14 and 16, each connect ing pin is provided exteriorly of the webs23 with the flanged wheel or roller which may be retained in place by a cotter pin or other locking member 41.

The upper surface of the tread member 28 may be roughened by providing depressed grooves 42 forming any suitable pattern, or

by raised portions, if so desired.

The links or elements when constructed as above described, and assembled as shown, provide an endless conveyer which is particularly adapted for use with auto laundries as above mentioned and being formed of single castings which require practically no machining may be very cheaply manufac- 7 While one form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction as well asthe precise arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore, it is not wished to be limited to the above disclosure, except as may be required by the claim.

hat is claimed is:

An element for conveyors of the class described, comprising a link structure formed of a single casting having a bored transverse member; spaced webs extending longitudinally from said transverse member, the ends of said webs having bores adapted to align with the bore of the transverse member of an adjacent element to receive a pivot pin, said webs "being extended upwardly; 'a flat hori zontal tread formed integrally with the upper portions of said web extensions, and overhanging them; an integral depending reinforcing flange extending around the perimeter of said tread; and a depending supplemental transverse reinto-rcing web intermediate the ends of said tread, said supplemental web and the end portions of said perimetral flange being partially cut away to clear the sprocket teeth.

GEORGE HENRY KUNZ. 

